CHILDREN at a York primary academy put out the Spanish flag to say “Hola” to a group of 17 pupils and three teachers from a visiting school near Valencia.

The trip was organised as part of an eTwinning project by Nieves Sadullah, Spanish teacher at Haxby Road Primary Academy as well as at Brotherton and Byram and Robert Wilkinson primary academies, all part of the Ebor Academy Trust.

Mrs Sadullah said: “It gives children the opportunity to learn more about another culture and focus on their language skills, as well as developing skills such as confidence, responsibility, kindness and empathy."

This is the second time Spanish students have visited York and it’s a chance for them, too, to practise their English language skills. Both Haxby Road and the Spanish pupils are involved in a play performed for the school and other activities include team-building games, art, music, PE, ICT, maths and English.

The visitors from Spain stay in a hostel in York and after school have been walking around the city’s walls and enjoying fish and chips at Wackers and a carvery at Russell’s.

“Each child in Year 5 and 6 is paired with someone in Spain and they exchange messages throughout the year,” said Mrs Sadullah.

“We hope it will inspire pupils to continue to take a keen interest in language learning in the future.”